Lighter weight legend Kid Yamamoto has died, following a brief battle with cancer, his team announced on Tuesday. The former Shooto and UFC star was just 41 years old.
Some sad news out of Japan today: Norifumi ‘Kid’ Yamamoto, a pioneer in MMA’s lighter weight classes, had died at age 41. The news comes as a shock, as Yamamoto announced just last month that he was battling cancer, with few other details released. On Tuesday, however, his team, Krazy Bee, revealed Yamamoto’s passing.
“To everyone who supported [Kid Yamamoto], [he] passed away today on September 18th at 41 years and 6 months of age,” the statement read (translated). “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to every one of the fans. In addition, please refrain from interviewing the Yamamoto family, family members, friends etc, so that we can give [them] consideration.”
山本KID徳郁を応援して下さった皆様へ
山本KID徳郁(享年41歳6ヶ月)が、本日9月18日に逝去致しました。生前に応援、ご支援をして頂きました関係各位、ファンの皆様に本人に変わり御礼申しげます。
尚、山本家、家族、友人への取材等はご遠慮頂き、ご配慮頂けますようお願い申し上げます。
KRAZYBEE— KRAZY BEE OFFICIAL (@KB_official) September 18, 2018
Yamamoto began his path to MMA greatness in high school, attending Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Arizona, and joining the school’s wrestling program. Winning three state championships, he would then return to Japan to pursue MMA under Enson Inoue, debuting for Shooto in 2001. A bantamweight or featherweight at best fighting at lightweight in days before lighter weight classes were common, Yamamoto would go 17-1 (1 NC) between 2001 and 2007. During that time, he captured wins over notable names like Bibiano Fernandes, Genki Sudo, Caol Uno, Rani Yahya, Royler Gracie and others.
Yamamoto, whose father and sister were both decorated wrestlers as well, stepped away from MMA following the Yahya fight, trying out for the 2008 Olympics. However, after winning his first qualifying match, he dislocated his elbow in his second. The injury dashed his Olympic dreams, and he returned to MMA. Sadly, he was never the same, winning just once more.
Joining the UFC later in his career, Yamamoto struggled, losing to Demetrious Johnson (at bantamweight), Darren Uyenoyama, and Vaughn Lee from 2011 to 2012. A brief comeback in 2015 saw a fight with Roman Salazar end in a No Contest after Salazar was unable to continue following an eye poke. Yamamoto never returned to the cage.
That said, his accomplishments as a pioneer, punching well above his weight, remain impressive. The MMA world showed their respects Tuesday following the announcement, with an outpouring of support online.
RIP…. Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto 😞 pic.twitter.com/K8OJblm0ip
— Dana White (@danawhite) September 18, 2018
The world lost a true warrior today – Rest In Peace “Kid” Yamamoto.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) September 18, 2018
RIP Kid Yamamoto, Osu !! My condolences to the family !! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/a0tWlhnN1w
— Ray Sefo (@SugarRaySefo) September 18, 2018
Yamamoto’s older sister, Miyuu Yamamoto, currently competes for RIZIN Fighting Federation, as does her son, Erson. Our condolences to his family, friends, and team.
